A7S IIvs RX100 VI
Sony
A7S II (2015)
Starting from £799 new
Best for Low-light video, documentary & available-light filmmaking
View A7S II
GearScore™ Verdict — Which should you buy?
Low-Light Video, Documentary & Available-Light Filmmaking — A7S II (2015): A landmark in mirrorless history — the first Sony with IBIS and internal 4K, its low-light video capability still impresses today at a used-market price.
Travel & Vlogging — RX100 VI (2018): The RX100 VI trades fast apertures for a remarkable 24-200mm zoom range — giving it more versatility than any previous model. 4K/30p, 24fps burst, a pop-up EVF, and an articulating screen round out an exceptional compact package. Variable aperture limits low-light performance at the long end, but for travel and events where reach matters, there is no practical alternative at this size.
Who should buy what
A7S II (2015)
- Filmmakers and videographers who want legendary low-light performance at a used-price discount
- Documentary shooters working in unpredictable available light conditions
- A7S III shooters who want a second Sony FE body for backup or B-camera use
- Budget-conscious video producers who want full-frame 4K with S-Log at an accessible price
RX100 VI (2018)
- Travel photographers who need versatile reach in a pocketable body
- Vloggers and content creators who need 4K and an articulating screen
- Event photographers who want discreet, capable wide-to-tele coverage
- Wildlife and sports enthusiasts who want a compact travel option
Quick take: The rx100 vi has the highest resolution at 20mp; the rx100 vi is the most affordable; only the a7s ii is weather sealed. Scroll down for the full spec breakdown.
Full specifications
| Specification | A7S II (2015) | RX100 VI (2018) |
|---|---|---|
| Price | £799 | £700 |
| Sensor | 12.1MP full-frame BSI Exmor CMOS | 20.1MP 1-inch BSI Stacked CMOS |
| Resolution | 12.1MP | 20.1MP |
| Video | 4K/30p internal (full sensor readout), 1080p/120p, S-Log2/S-Log3 | 4K/30p, 1080p/120p, 960fps HFR |
| Autofocus | 169 phase-detect + 25 contrast AF — limited by modern standards | Fast Hybrid AF, 315 phase-detect points, Eye AF |
| Stabilisation | 5-axis IBIS — 4.5 stops (first Sony mirrorless with IBIS) | Optical SteadyShot |
| Burst Rate | 5fps continuous | 24fps |
| Battery Life | ~370 shots (CIPA) | ~240 shots (CIPA) |
| Weight | 584g body only | 301g (with battery and card) |
| Dimensions | 126.9 × 95.7 × 60.3mm | 101.6 × 58.1 × 42.8mm |
| Weather Sealed | Yes | No |
| Viewfinder | EVF, 2.36M dots, 0.71× magnification | Pop-up EVF, 2.35M dots |
| Screen | 3.0" tilting LCD, 1.23M dots | 3.0" fully articulating touchscreen, 921k dots |
| Mount | Sony FE mount (full-frame E-mount) | Fixed Zeiss Vario-Sonnar T* 24-200mm f/2.8-4.5 |
| Memory Cards | Dual SD UHS-I slots | Single SD / Memory Stick PRO Duo slot |
| Connectivity | USB Micro-B, Bluetooth (via app), Wi-Fi, 3.5mm mic jack | Micro USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth |
Suitability by genre
| Genre | A7S II | RX100 VI |
|---|---|---|
| Vlogging & Video | ||
| Low Light | — | |
| Wedding | — | |
| Portrait | ||
| Street | ||
| Sports | — | |
| Travel | — | |
| Casual | — | |
| Wildlife | — | |
| Sports & Action | — | |
| Landscape | — |
GearScore™ suitability scores are based on aggregated purchaser reviews weighted by photography genre. See how scores are calculated →
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Camera family history